Anxiety is a normal emotion that we all experience, such as in the run up to exams or a job interview. But when anxiety becomes much more severe this feeling can take over and begin to interfere with everyday life.
Conditions under the anxiety disorder umbrella include: generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
For people with an anxiety disorder, feelings like stress, panic and worry are longer lasting, more extreme and far harder to control. Symptoms may also include feeling restless or agitated, having trouble concentrating or sleeping, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness and heart palpitations.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that makes an individual more likely to have short attention spans, be impulsive and hyperactive.
Most cases are diagnosed when children are 6 to 12 years old and it can have a big impact on a child’s ability to learn at school. ADHD often occurs alongside other problems, most commonly depression, but also anxiety or sleep disorders among others.
The symptoms of ADHD often persist from childhood into teenage and adult years. However, the symptoms of ADHD can be more subtle in adults and affect them in a different ways to children.
The causes of ADHD are not clear, but we know that people who have a parent or sibling with the condition are much more likely to be affected. It has also been suggested that low birthweight and premature birth may play a role too.
Both behaviour therapy and medication can be used to improve the symptoms of ADHD. Behaviour therapy focuses on helping a person to control their behaviour, while medication can help improve attention span and reduce impulsive behaviour.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects a person’s mood, energy and ability to function.
It is characterised by extreme mood states, described as:
- manic or hypo-manic episodes (feeling high)
- depressive episodes (feeling low)
- potentially psychotic symptoms – where an individual experiences delusions or hallucinations
These episodes are much more severe than the normal ‘highs and lows’ of life that we all feel – they may last for several weeks or months, and can leave those affected feeling out of control or ruled by their moods. Equally a person may not be aware they are in the midst of a manic episode. These extreme moods can make work and relationships very difficult, and people with bipolar disorder are at an increased risk of suicide.
There are several types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. These share symptoms, but are different in terms of severity and intensity. Some people experience periods of ‘normal’ mood between episodes.
What is depression?
We all experience low mood sometimes - it is a normal part of life especially after a loss or bereavement. Depression in the medical sense however can leave people feeling severely sad, empty, hopeless or guilty for weeks, months or even years.
It can affect every part of a person’s life. Relationships. Work. Physical health. They all suffer. And, at its most severe, depression can be life-threatening.
Depression can also have physical symptoms, such as fatigue, sleeping badly or much more than usual, poor appetite or overeating, and loss of sex drive.
Everyone experiences depression differently. But however it affects people, it’s definitely not the same as simply feeling low for a few days or something that people can ‘snap out of’.
What are eating disorders?
An eating disorder is when a person’s eating habits and relationship with food becomes difficult. Eating problems can disrupt how a person eats food and absorbs nutrients, which affects physical health, but can also be detrimental both emotionally and socially.
The three most common eating disorders are:
- Anorexia nervosa (restricted food intake and/or excessive exercise)
- Bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by deliberate purging)
- Binge-eating disorder (BED) (episodes of overeating in a short space of time)
Eating disorders often occur alongside other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance misuse disorders.
There is no single reason why someone may develop an eating disorder - it can be the result of a combination of genetic, psychological, environmental, social and biological factors. While they can be very serious mental health conditions they are also treatable and, although it may take a long time, full recovery is possible.
Treatment normally consists of monitoring a person’s physical health while addressing the underlying psychological problems with psychological therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or family therapy. Medication such as a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be used to treat bulimia nervosa or binge eating.
What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?
All of us obsess about things from time to time – whether we left the iron on, or if we shut the door – but obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is much more serious.
OCD is an anxiety disorder which causes people to experience obsessive thoughts followed by compulsive behaviours. Obsessions are frequent intrusive, unwanted thoughts which cause anxiety, disgust or unease. Compulsions are activities carried out repetitively in an attempt to temporarily relieve the distressing feelings of the obsessive thoughts.
For some people with OCD, obsessions and compulsions may occupy an hour a day, but for others it can become so severe that it takes over - preventing them from living a normal life, holding them captive, and potentially damaging their health, relationships, education or employment.
Treatment for OCD has improved and has a good chance of relieving and controlling obsessions, or preventing the condition from getting worse. Treatments are generally either cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), medication such as a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or a mixture of the two.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder triggered by traumatic events in a person’s life such as real or threatened death, severe injury or sexual assault.
PTSD can affect people of any age, and the symptoms normally begin within the first three months after the traumatic experience.
People with PTSD usually experience nightmares, flashbacks, and vivid upsetting memories of what they went through. They may also feel very anxious and ‘on edge’, and may try to avoid being reminded of the traumatic event.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness, which disrupts how someone thinks, their understanding and perception of the world around them, including what they see or hear.
Quite often the condition will cause psychotic symptoms, which means the distinction between thoughts and reality become blurred - a person may experience delusions or hallucinations. This can make the condition alarming and confusing for both the person affected, and their family and loved ones.
Schizophrenia tends to develop when people are in their late teens or twenties. And while it is normally a lifelong condition, the symptoms are treatable and most people affected will get better over time.
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